H7336 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 2008 will postpone further proceedings GENERAL LEAVE The question was taken; and (two- today on motions to suspend the rules Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask thirds being in the affirmative) the on which a recorded vote or the yeas unanimous consent that all Members rules were suspended and the bill, as and nays are ordered, or on which the have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- amended, was passed. vote is objected to under clause 6 of tend their remarks and include extra- A motion to reconsider was laid on rule XX. neous material on the bill under con- the table. Record votes on postponed questions sideration. f will be taken later. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- COMMEMORATING IRENA SENDLER f tleman from California? Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I PROVIDING FOR EXTENSIONS OF There was no objection. move to suspend the rules and agree to CERTAIN AUTHORITIES OF THE Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. DEPARTMENT OF STATE yield myself such time as I may con- 361) commemorating Irena Sendler, a Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I sume. woman whose bravery saved the lives The legislation before the House move to suspend the rules and pass the of thousands during the Holocaust and today extends certain expiring authori- bill (H.R. 6456) to provide for exten- remembering her legacy of courage, ties of the Department of State. A cou- sions of certain authorities of the De- selflessness, and hope. ple of examples. The bill continues the The Clerk read the title of the con- partment of State, and for other pur- Department’s ability to hire experi- current resolution. poses, as amended. enced retired officer to fill positions in The text of the concurrent resolution The Clerk read the title of the bill. Iraq or Afghanistan. This bill extends is as follows: The text of the bill is as follows: two broadcasting authorities, Radio H. CON. RES. 361 H.R. 6456 Free Asia for an additional year and Whereas on May 12, 2008, Irena Sendler, a Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- the authority to hire personal service living example of social justice, died at the resentatives of the United States of America in contractors in the United States for age of 98; Congress assembled, specialized language and other skills, Whereas Irena Sendler repeatedly risked SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RE- and several other technical provisions her own life to rescue over 2,500 Jewish chil- EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN SERVICE dren in Poland’s Warsaw ghetto from Nazi ANNUITANTS. involving those authorities. extermination during the Holocaust; Section 824(g)(2) of the Foreign Service Act I reserve the balance of my time. Whereas inspired by her father, a physician of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4064(g)(2)) is amended by Mr. CHABOT. I yield myself such who spent his career treating poor Jewish striking ‘‘2008’’ each place it appears and in- time as I may consume. patients, Irena Sendler dedicated her life to serting ‘‘2009’’. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of others; SEC. 2. INCLUSION OF UNITED STATES TERRI- H.R. 6456, which provides stopgap ex- Whereas Irena Sendler became an early ac- TORIES AS ELIGIBLE FOR REST AND tensions of certain important State De- tivist at the start of World War II, heading RECUPERATION TRAVEL FOR MEM- partment and broadcasting authorities the clandestine group Zegota and driving an BERS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE. underground movement that provided safe The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amend- until the Committee on Foreign Affairs can take them up as part of a com- passage for Jews from the Warsaw ghetto, ed— who were facing disease, execution, or depor- (1) in section 901(6)(B) (22 U.S.C. 4081(6)(B)), prehensive authorization during the tation to concentration camps; by inserting after ‘‘United States’’ the fol- 111th Congress. Whereas Irena Sendler became one of lowing: ‘‘or its territories, including Amer- In response to administration re- Zegota’s most successful workers, taking ican Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto quests, this brief bill does a number of charge of the children’s division and using Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the things. It extends for another year the her senior position with the city’s welfare Northern Mariana Islands, and the United State Department’s authority to hire department to gain access to and from the States Virgin Islands’’; and retired Foreign Service officers for dif- ghetto and build a network of allies to help (2) in section 903(b) (22 U.S.C. 4083(b)), by ferry Jewish children from the Warsaw ghet- striking ‘‘, its territories and possessions, or ficult-to-staff posts in Iraq and Afghan- istan, and to address visa and passport to; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’’ and in- Whereas Irena Sendler was arrested by the serting ‘‘or its territories, including Amer- processing backlogs. Gestapo on October 20, 1943, tortured, and ican Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto It also extends authorities for Radio sentenced to death by firing squad; Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Free Asia, and for emergency broad- Whereas Irena Sendler never revealed de- Northern Mariana Islands, and the United casting needs in the International tails of her contacts, escaped from Pawiak States Virgin Islands’’. Broadcasting Bureau and the Voice of prison, and continued her invaluable work SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PAY SUB- America. It also makes clear that the with Zegota; SISTENCE OF SPECIAL AGENTS ON State Department may pay the hotel Whereas in 1965, Irena Sendler was recog- PROTECTIVE DETAILS. nized as ‘‘Righteous Among the Nations’’ by Section 32 of the State Department Basic expenses of its special agents on pro- tective details in situations where the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2704) is Israel; amended, in the first sentence, by striking agents are required to remain with Whereas in 2006, Irena Sendler was nomi- ‘‘on authorized protective missions, and’’ their protectees overnight, even when nated for the Nobel Peace Prize; and inserting ‘‘on authorized protective mis- that duty occurs in the agent’s home Whereas Irena Sendler was awarded the sions, whether at or away from their duty locale. Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest stations, and’’. Finally, it incorporates the text of civilian decoration; SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RADIO H.R. 3658, the House-passed bill intro- Whereas Irena Sendler’s life has been FREE ASIA. duced by the gentleman from Puerto chronicled in the documentary film, Section 309(c)(2) of the United States Inter- ˜ ‘‘Tzedek: The Righteous’’ and ‘‘Life in a national Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. Rico (Mr. FORTUNO) to allow U.S. For- eign Service officers to take their rest Jar’’, a play about her rescue efforts; 6208(c)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2009’’ and Whereas Irena Sendler, a woman who inserting ‘‘2010’’. and recuperative travel in U.S. terri- risked everything for the lives of others and SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES tories. I urge support for this measure. whose bravery is unimaginable to many of FOR INTERNATIONAL BROAD- I reserve the balance of my time. us, expressed guilt for not being able to do CASTING ACTIVITIES. Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, has more for the Jewish people; and Section 504(c) of the Foreign Relations Au- the gentleman yielded back his time? Whereas Americans, as well as the world thorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law Mr. CHABOT. If the gentleman has community, are reminded not only of the 107–228; 22 U.S.C. 6206 note) is amended by no further speakers, we have no further horrible cruelty at the time of the Holo- striking ‘‘2008’’ and inserting ‘‘2009’’. speakers either, and we will yield back. caust, but also the incredible difference one The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. BERMAN. I yield back. person can make by knowing Irena Sendler’s ant to the rule, the gentleman from The SPEAKER pro tempore. The story: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the California (Mr. BERMAN) and the gen- question is on the motion offered by Senate concurring), That Congress— tleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) each the gentleman from California (Mr. (1) mourns the loss of Irena Sendler, a will control 20 minutes. BERMAN) that the House suspend the woman whose bravery and heroic efforts The Chair recognizes the gentleman rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6456, as saved over 2,500 Jewish children during the from California. amended. Holocaust;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:14 Jul 31, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K30JY7.012 H30JYPT1 erowe on PROD1PC71 with HOUSE July 30, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7337 (2) pays its respect and extends its condo- The Holocaust was filled with uncon- rators, even when she was tortured and lences to the Sendler family; scionable inhumanity and horrors and sentenced to death. She was spared (3) honors her legacy of courage, selfless- revealed the tremendous cruelty some execution only because underground ness, and hope; and human beings are capable of imposing activists managed to bribe officials. (4) remembers the life of Irena Sendler for her heroic efforts to save over 2,500 Jewish on others. But there were exceptions. After her release, Sendler was forced children during the Holocaust, and for her Within the darkness of the Holocaust, into hiding but she continued to work unwavering dedication to justice and human the story of Irena Sendler, who repeat- to rescue Jewish children. It is esti- rights. edly risked her own life to rescue thou- mated that she rescued over 2,500 chil- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sands of Jewish children in Poland dren. ant to the rule, the gentleman from from being murdered by the Nazis She passed away in May of 2008 at the California (Mr. BERMAN) and the gen- serves as an inspirational example of age of 98. I introduced this resolution tleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) each human bravery and selflessness and with the hope that her legacy will in- will control 20 minutes. compassion. spire people to fight for human rights. The Chair recognizes the gentleman House Concurrent Resolution 361 Her heroic story reminds us that the from California. commemorates Irena Sendler, who actions of one person can make a real GENERAL LEAVE passed away in May of this year. The difference in this world. Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask resolution, among other things, notes I urge my colleagues to support this unanimous consent that all Members that the United States Congress resolution, pay tribute to Irena have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- mourns the loss of this heroine and re- Sendler, and remind all of us to stand tend their remarks and include extra- members her for saving the lives of up against oppression and fight for neous material on this resolution. thousands of Jewish children and for those without a voice. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there her courageous dedication to justice Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise objection the request of the gentleman and human rights. today in support of H. Con. Res. 361, a reso- from California? I support this resolution, and I want lution I introduced commemorating Irena There was no objection. to thank the gentleman for his inspira- Sendler, a woman whose bravery saved the Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I tional words. I urge my colleagues to lives of thousands of children during the Holo- yield myself such time as I may con- do so as well. caust, and remembering her legacy of cour- sume. I reserve the balance of my time. age, selflessness, and hope. Madam Speaker, this measure has Mr. BERMAN. I yield such time as I would like to thank the Chairman of the been brought to us by our colleague, she may consume to the author of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman the gentlelady from Chicago (Ms. resolution, the gentlelady from Illinois BERMAN, for his leadership in bringing this leg- SCHAKOWSKY). It notes the loss of a (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY). islation to the floor today. I would also like to true humanitarian last May, with the Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, thank Senator OBAMA for offering similar legis- passing of Irena Sendler, a Polish I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. lation in the Senate. Catholic social worker who rescued 361, a resolution I introduced com- Irena Sendler lived her life by the standards 2,500 Jewish children from near certain memorating Irena Sendler, a woman of compassion and humanity that she learned death in the Warsaw Ghetto. whose bravery saved the lives of thou- from her parents. She once stated, ‘‘I was When it became clear to her that the sands of children during the Holocaust, taught that if you see a person drowning, you Nazis planned to exterminate Poland’s and remembering her legacy of cour- must jump into the water to save them, wheth- 1,000-year-old Jewish community, Ms. age, selflessness and hope. I want to er you can swim or not.’’ Sendler joined Zegota, the Council for thank Chairman BERMAN for his leader- Sendler was a 29-year-old Polish Catholic, Aid to Jews, an organization run by the ship in bringing this to the floor, and employed by the city of Warsaw as a social Polish underground, committed to pro- also Senator OBAMA for offering similar worker, when the German invasion of Poland viding assistance and safe haven to the legislation in the Senate. ushered in one of the darkest chapters in country’s Jewish population. Irena Sendler lived her life by the human history. Jews were rounded up and Ms. Sendler became head of Zegota’s standards of humanity that she learned crowded into the Warsaw ghetto, where poor children’s department. Using her con- from her parents. She once stated, ‘‘I hygiene and a lack of food and medical sup- tacts from her days as a social worker, was taught that if you see a person plies led to the outbreak of disease. Sendler she placed thousands of Jewish chil- drowning, you must jump into the managed to pass herself off as an infection- dren smuggled from the Warsaw Ghet- water to save them, whether you can control nurse, enabling her to enter the ghetto to, often under Christianized names, in swim or not.’’ and distribute supplies, and she began to convents and orphanages to shelter Sendler was a 29-year-old Catholic smuggle Jews out of the ghetto and into hid- them throughout the war. These convents and orphanages were employed by the City of Warsaw when ing. In 1942, the underground organization intended as temporary refuges, as Ms. the German invasion of Poland ushered Council for the Aid of Jews, known as Zegota, Sendler recorded the actual names of in one of the darkest chapters in was established following the deportation of these children on tissue paper. She human history. Disguised as an infec- 280,000 Jews from Warsaw to Treblinka. stored those records in jars, buried tion-control nurse, she was able to Sendler joined the organization, working to as- them in her garden, in the hope that enter the Warsaw Jewish ghetto to dis- sist thousands of Jews who had survived the after the war, they would be reunited tribute supplies. In 1942, Sendler joined deportations and were living in hiding. with their families. the newly formed underground organi- Working with Zegota, Sendler utilized her In 1965, she was given the honor of zation Zegota, working to assist thou- contacts with orphanages to rescue Jewish being named Righteous Among the Na- sands of Jews who had survived mass children. Young children were smuggled out in tions by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holo- deportations and were living in hiding. boxes and suitcases; older children were led caust memorial. Her legacy of courage Utilizing her contacts with orphan- through secret passages and sewers. Many of and hope until then was little known in ages, Sendler organized the rescue of the children were sent to Roman Catholic or- Poland. Jewish children, smuggling some out in phanages and convents, while others were In 2003, Irena Sendler finally received boxes and suitcases, leading others hidden in private homes. All were given false the widespread recognition she so through secret passages and sewers. identities and non-Jewish names. Sendler bur- greatly deserved when she was awarded Children were hidden in Roman Catho- ied a jar with the true names of every child in the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s lic orphanages and convents, as well as a friend’s garden, in hopes of reuniting the highest civilian decoration, and in 2006, private homes, under false identities. children with their families after the war. she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Sendler buried a jar with the true A mother herself, Sendler later recalled that Prize. name of every child in a friend’s garden the most difficult part of her work was to con- We all pay our respects and extend in hopes of reuniting the children with vince parents to give their children into her our condolences to the Sendler family. their families after the war. care. They would ask her if she could guar- I reserve the balance of my time. After she was arrested in October of antee their survival, and she would respond Mr. CHABOT. I yield myself such 1943, Sendler refused to provide the list that she could not, but she could guarantee time as I may consume. of names or the identity of her collabo- that they would likely die if they stayed.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:14 Jul 31, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30JY7.128 H30JYPT1 erowe on PROD1PC71 with HOUSE H7338 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 2008 Irena Sendler was arrested by the Nazis in The question was taken; and (two- (4) fully supports the invitations to ini- October 1943. She managed to hide critical in- thirds being in the affirmative) the tiate an Intensified Dialogue between NATO formation, including the addresses of the hid- rules were suspended and the concur- and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, den children, before her capture. Although she rent resolution was agreed to. and Serbia; A motion to reconsider was laid on (5) supports the enlargement of NATO and endured torture and was sentenced to death, believes that continued engagement with all she refused to provide the location of the lists the table. countries that aspire to join NATO will of names or the identity of her collaborators. f strengthen security for all countries in the She was spared execution only because other b 1045 Euro-Atlantic region; underground activists managed to bribe offi- (6) supports the declaration of NATO at the cials. CONGRATULATING ALBANIA AND Bucharest Summit, which states that After her release, Sendler was forced to go CROATIA ON BEING INVITED TO NATO’s door should remain open to Euro- into hiding, but she nevertheless continued to BEGIN ACCESSION TALKS WITH pean democracies willing and able to assume work to rescue Jewish children. Although the THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY the responsibilities and obligations of mem- ORGANIZATION bership, in accordance with article 10 of the exact number of children she saved is un- North Atlantic Treaty, signed at Washington known, it is widely estimated to be over 2,500. Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I April 4, 1949 (TIAS 1964); and After the war, she unearthed the hidden lists move to suspend the rules and agree to (7) affirms the statement in that declara- and worked to reunite the children with their the resolution (H. Res. 1266) congratu- tion that any decision with respect to the families. A large majority of the children had lating Albania and Croatia on being in- membership of countries in NATO will be no surviving family members, and many were vited to begin accession talks with the made through consensus, by members of adopted by Polish families, while others were North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO, and no country outside of NATO has a vote or veto with respect to such decisions. sent to Israel. and expressing support for continuing Irena Sendler’s remarkable story garnered to enlarge the alliance, as amended. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- little attention after the war. She was recog- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- ant to the rule, the gentleman from nized as Righteous Among the Nations by tion. California (Mr. BERMAN) and the gen- Israel’s Yad Vashem on October 19, 1965, but The text of the resolution is as fol- tleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) each her story was not widely known until 1999, lows: will control 20 minutes. when four high school students in Kansas H. RES. 1266 The Chair recognizes the gentleman wrote a play, Life in a Jar, based on her life. Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organi- from California. The play has since been performed across the zation (NATO) met in April 2008 to enlarge GENERAL LEAVE United States, Canada, and Europe. In 2003, the alliance, to reaffirm the purpose of Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask she was awarded the Order of the White NATO to defend the populations, territories, unanimous consent that all Members Eagle, Poland’s highest civilian decoration, and forces in the Euro-Atlantic region, and may have 5 legislative days to revise and in 2007 she was honored by the Polish to strengthen further the ability of NATO to and extend their remarks and include confront existing and emerging 21st-century parliament, which unanimously approved a extraneous material on the resolution resolution honoring her for organizing the res- security threats; Whereas NATO invited Albania and Cro- under consideration. cue of Jewish children. She was nominated for atia to begin accession talks to join NATO The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. and indicated that those talks will begin im- objection to the request of the gen- Irena Sendler passed away in May 2008 at mediately, with the aim of completing the tleman from California? the age of 98. Even though her actions saved ratification process without delay; There was no objection. countless innocent children from a horrific Whereas NATO expressed recognition of Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I death, she said that she always regretted the hard work and commitment dem- yield myself such time as I may con- being unable to do more. onstrated by other countries that aspire to sume. join NATO and commended those countries In speaking about those non-Jews, like Madam Speaker, I am pleased to sup- Irena Sendler, who risked their lives to save for their efforts to build multiethnic soci- eties; port this resolution, which was intro- Jews during the Holocaust, Elie Weisel stated, duced by my good friend, the ranking ‘‘In those times there was darkness every- Whereas NATO invited Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to begin an In- member of the Europe Subcommittee, where. In heaven and on earth, all the gates tensified Dialogue on the full range of polit- ELTON GALLEGLY, the gentleman from of compassion seemed to have been closed. ical, military, financial, and security issues California, a resolution that congratu- The killer killed and the Jews died and the relating to their aspirations to join NATO; lates Albania and Croatia on receiving outside world adopted an attitude either of Whereas NATO expressed the desire to de- an invitation to begin accession talks velop an ambitious and substantive relation- complicity or of indifference. Only a few had with the North Atlantic Treaty Organi- the courage to care. These few men and ship with Serbia, making full use of Serbia’s zation and expresses support for fur- women were vulnerable, afraid, helpless— membership in the Partnership for Peace, ther expansion of the alliance. what made them different from their fellow citi- and to make more progress toward inte- At the NATO summit held in Bucha- zens? . . . Why were there so few?’’ grating Serbia into the Euro-Atlantic com- munity, including through an Intensified rest this past April, the alliance made I introduced this resolution with the hope Dialogue following a request by Serbia; and notable progress on integrating the that Irena Sendler’s legacy would help inspire Whereas NATO’s ongoing enlargement people to fight for human rights and social jus- Balkans into this important Euro-At- process has been a historic success in ad- lantic institution. Most significantly, tice. Her heroic story reminds us that the ac- vancing stability and cooperation and reach- tions of one person can make a real difference ing the transatlantic goal of ensuring that NATO invited Albania and Croatia to in this world. As the Talmud teaches, ‘‘who- Europe is whole and free, and united in begin accession talks. I was pleased to ever saves a life, it is considered as if he peace, democracy, and common values: Now, see that accession protocols were saved an entire world.’’ There is no higher act therefore, be it signed with both countries on July 9th. Resolved, That the House of Representa- of selflessness than to protect people who These two countries, Albania and tives— Croatia, have made remarkable cannot defend themselves. (1) congratulates Albania and Croatia on I urge my colleagues to support this resolu- progress in reforming their political in- being invited by the North Atlantic Treaty stitutions and strengthening their tion, to pay tribute to Irena Sendler and to re- Organization (NATO) to begin accession mind all of us to stand up against oppression talks and recognizes the historic nature of military capabilities in recent years. and fight for those without a voice. that achievement, earned through years of They will make important contribu- Mr. CHABOT. We will yield back the hard work and a demonstrated commitment tions to international security, as well balance of our time. to common security and the shared values of as to the stability of Southeastern Eu- Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I NATO members; rope. yield back the balance of my time. (2) congratulates Albania and Croatia on NATO has also recognized the hard The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the signing of the Accession Protocols by work and commitment demonstrated question is on the motion offered by NATO members on July 9, 2008, opening the by other countries in the region. The way for full NATO membership for both the gentleman from California (Mr. countries; alliance responded positively to a re- BERMAN) that the House suspend the (3) expresses strong support for the timely quest from Montenegro and Bosnia and rules and agree to the concurrent reso- completion of the accession process with Al- Herzegovina to intensify their engage- lution, H. Con. Res. 361. bania and Croatia; ment. Both countries have been active

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:14 Jul 31, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A30JY7.239 H30JYPT1 erowe on PROD1PC71 with HOUSE